# Are you in America or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 2, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988 "2010-03-02T14:38:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/21 "2010-03-03T03:10:30Z")
We’re the only nation with ‘America’ as part of our country’s name. All the other countries in this hemisphere have something else to call themselves and USA’er sounds weird, so just let us have it already! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/22 "2010-03-03T03:10:43Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Right, the word “American” in English means someone from the USA, not someone from the continent of America. As I said above, it doesn’t matter that it’s not logical – language is not logical. Forgive me, but what does it mean in whatever language Amerigo Vespuci (sp) spoke, Spanish or French Canadian? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/23 "2010-03-03T04:48:08Z")
> [@Mehitabel](#): > > “Can I call you something other than ‘Mexican?’ Something less–degrading?” - Michael Scott What exactly is the purpose of your posting this quote? Is this type of degrading racism a belief you share? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/24 "2010-03-03T06:27:45Z")
I can understand the argument that it is commonly understood that when people say American they mean citizens of the United States of America, but this question is just worded too badly - America is the continent, the United States of America is the country. This is nitpickery central here, and this question simply isn’t accurate enough. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/25 "2010-03-03T11:59:50Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > My state joined the USA twice, in 1836 and 1868. > Do I get extra points? > 🙂 You have been awarded two points, one for each time you joined. However, you have been deducted one point, as you clearly left once. Therefore you are left with one point. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SecTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SecTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecTech)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/26 "2010-03-03T13:19:19Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I can understand the argument that it is commonly understood that when people say American they mean citizens of the United States of America, but this question is just worded too badly - America is the continent, the United States of America is the country. This is nitpickery central here, and this question simply isn’t accurate enough. I remember years ago that many other residents of the two americas resented the use of “American” for “Norte Americanos”, as well as “the United States of America” for " los Estados Unidos de Norte America". And wasn’t it the “Estados Unidos de Mexico” vice the “Rupublica de Mexico”? IMHO, there are two (main) problems, no “American” will use more or longer words than necessary, and I think it (the resenmtent) was driven largely by the popularity of Che and Fidel, so we say American and USA. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/27 "2010-03-03T13:26:50Z")
I’m an American, and I don’t give a dang what date format people use; I can figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/28 "2010-03-03T17:42:08Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > What exactly is the purpose of your posting this quote? Is this type of degrading racism a belief you share? Not the poster, but I’m going to go with a 99.999% chance that that was a joke. [Michael Scott](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Scott_%28The_Office%29) is a cluelessly offensive TV character. Real people don’t speak like that, not even the actual bigots. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/29 "2010-03-03T17:48:26Z")
> [@SecTech](#): > > I remember years ago that many other residents of the two americas resented the use of “American” for “Norte Americanos”, as well as “the United States of America” for " los Estados Unidos de Norte America". > And wasn’t it the “Estados Unidos de Mexico” vice the “Rupublica de Mexico”? > > IMHO, there are two (main) problems, **no “American” will use more or longer words than necessary** , and I think it (the resenmtent) was driven largely by the popularity of Che and Fidel, so we say American and USA. Like **elevator** instead of lift? Or **apartment** instead of flat? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/30 "2010-03-03T17:50:10Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > I’m an American, and I don’t give a dang what date format people use; I can figure it out. No you can’t. What date is 2/9/2010 supposed to be, for example? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/31 "2010-03-03T18:03:13Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > No you can’t. What date is 2/9/2010 supposed to be, for example? Usually, there’s some context, like “my birthday was 2/9” or “labor day holiday will be 9/2” that gives me a clue. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/32 "2010-03-03T18:37:44Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Forgive me, but what does it mean in whatever language Amerigo Vespuci (sp) spoke, Spanish or French Canadian? 🙂 Is this a whoosh? Vespucci was Italian, and his primary language was Italian. He also spoke Spanish since he lived there for a time (and primarily participated in Spanish explorations) but the writings attributed to him are in Italian. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/33 "2010-03-03T20:23:38Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > I may be wrong, but IIRC Balthisar is an American (ie, a citizen of the US) living in Mexico - not a Mexican citizen making a statement about the term “American”. Balthisar, if I’m mistaken, my apologies. Yes, you’re quite correct. I’m a Michigander, of German and English heritage. Although no Mexican will ever doubt that you’re refering to an American by using the word American. You’re almost equally likely to hear either _norteamericano_, _estadosunidense_, or just plain _americano_ spoken by the natives. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/34 "2010-03-03T20:49:49Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > What exactly is the purpose of your posting this quote? Is this type of degrading racism a belief you share? 1. Pretty sure it’s a joke 2. “Mexican” is not a race 3. I’m in NE Ohio 4. Hi Opal! ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/35 "2010-03-04T00:23:56Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > 1. Pretty sure it’s a joke > 2. “Mexican” is not a race > 3. I’m in NE Ohio > 4. Hi Opal! Well I guess since I am Mexican I just don’t see the humor. But I have come to expect such things from many people in the USA. On another thread a poster from the US made it a point to say he was white so he would not be confused with being Mexican. He didn’t say “American” but white. While we happen to be an ethnic group and not a seperate race we seem to be view as such by many in your country. But if you prefer I’ll reclassify that as a bigoted statement. Happy now? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/36 "2010-03-04T00:56:01Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > …But if you prefer I’ll reclassify that as a bigoted statement. Happy now? Yes, but not because you did that. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/37 "2010-03-04T01:34:33Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > Well I guess since I am Mexican I just don’t see the humor. But I have come to expect such things from many people in the USA. On another thread a poster from the US made it a point to say he was white so he would not be confused with being Mexican. He didn’t say “American” but white. While we happen to be an ethnic group and not a seperate race we seem to be view as such by many in your country. Well, there’s a reason for that. The vast majority of your emigrants are darker-skinned mestizos, who form the majority of the lower class in Mexico. These are people that enter illegally into the United States for economic reasons. For most Americans that know nothing about Mexico (or never flip to Univision or Telemundo) just automatically assume that _all_ Mexicans are that “race.” (I’m not justifying the ignorance, merely pointing out the reason for it.) Note that I’m not saying that all illegal immigrants are mestizo, and not all light-skinned Mexicans are in the middle-class or better, and not that there are no mestizo Mexicans in the middle-class. ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/38 "2010-03-04T04:19:29Z")
To get back on topic: I’m an American citizen living in Japan. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/39 "2010-03-04T13:51:13Z")
Right now, I’m in pain. Started Spinning at the gym this week, plus I fell this morning while playing basketball. Owie. But I’m in pain in Mississippi, so I’m in the USA. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988/40 "2010-03-04T15:02:01Z")
Yes, Tamerlane was right, it was a joke by a clueless bigoted boss about a character who’s not only the smartest guy there but isn’t even Mexican–he’s a first-generation American of Mexican descent. The point is that other nations in the Americas all have names in English for their people which are clear and easy to understand, so why not keep using the word Americans for the most populated and oldest independent nation on the two continents? Relax. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-in-america-or-not/530988.md?page=3)